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Thanks Carol. I must admit I was shocked when I saw the nest being constructed so early, but I figured mama must know what she is doing. I am hoping the insulation does the job, it worked during that bitterly cold spell to preserve the eggs back then, and hope it will do the same for the hatchlings.
I tried doing the Imgur that David uses so I could post pictures but no cell service here so they can’t send me the code needed to join. 😔
Connie (Pa)Just read your post Chris, so sorry about your male Bluebird, and hope you get another male for your female or a new pair.
Hi Carol:
I have seen a male BB do that here, and think he doesn’t like her choice of material for his off spring. It never prevented mama from laying her eggs.
Hi Carol:
I actually can’t for any certainty say it is normal, this is the first time I have seen it happen, but this particular pair stayed here all winter, and started the nest building early.
When it got bitterly cold my husband and I put insulation all around the outside of the box except the roof. Hopefully we managed to help mama enough that all the eggs hatch. Tomorrow will be the 14th day of incubation. Checked it this AM but didn’t see any pips yet.
Will keep you informed.
Connie (PA)Hi Everyone:
I am happy to report I not only have a nest, but 5 beautiful blue eggs. Mama laid the last one yesterday and started incubating them the same day. I am in North Western PA, and am looking forward to the rest of this season.
I am a bit concerned about the weather we are in store for temps in the 20’s at night and 1 to 2” of snow. Hopefully the eggs and Mama will weather the weather.Connie (PA)
Wow David, you have some operation going there with your mealworms. My Blues have remained close by so far this Fall and Winter, just fed them about an hour or so ago. They are such a bright spot while we are mostly confined during this pandemic.
I just told my husband that I was going to have to order more mealworms, but maybe I should just do the suet as Carol is doing and save some money. I seem to remember Tammy suggesting something else to mix in the suit but I don’t remember what.
Anyhow, I want to wish all of you a Happy, Healthy New Year. Stay safe!!
Connie (PA)Well David, that is some hobby you have taken up, but it does seem to be working out for you. I just ordered a batch of 10,000 mealworms, there are at least 7 BB’s still hanging around here in Western PA. and I am enjoying every minute of it.
I too am feeding on the same schedule as you, but now that the time has changed, I guess the feeding time will have to also.
Connie (PA)Carol, that is wonderful news, 5 new BB’s in the sky. Congrats!!
Glad to hear you have eliminated more of those nasty HOSP.
I watched Papa put a Piney Squirrel out of an oak tree on our property this morning. Go Papa!!
ConnieRich I too am anxious to see how your babies faired during this blast of frigid weather. I hope they all made it. My nephews wife who lives in Indiana PA, lost the four she had, they were ready to fledge. It is such a sad occurrence.
I understand this will be our last cold night with either frost or a freeze, I sure hope they are right. I have had my fill.
ConnieHi Judy, we do not have anything out to attract the bear. We take the mealworm feeder down every night since the bear damaged it. This just happens to be the territory he travels and I know of no way to deter him from doing that. I will see what the game warden says tomorrow. Thanks for the luck wishes.
ConnieGin, this is true. We have bears in this area but they have never damaged a nest box or it’s residents till now.
ConnieHi Carol, if the bear was causing a lot of damage, we could call the game commission and they would try to trap it and might give us permission to shot it. I have to point out the bear is showing up at night, so we never see him. We are thinking of a trail camera.
I too am grateful the adults made it and maybe with the 23 degree temps, high winds and severe white outs they may not have made it anyway. Our nephews wife had 4 ready to fledge and they froze to death. It has been an awful Spring, and they are calling for snow again here this week. Hope the Bluebirding is going good out your way.
ConnieOh David I wish it were that simple. I cannot shoot a bear because it damaged a mealworm feeder nor because it wiped out a clutch of Bluebirds. If it were threatening one of my dogs, or one of us I could shoot it. I am going to call the Game Commission tomorrow and see if they can set a trap.
In the meantime we have raised the birdhouse to about 7 feet so that should help.
ConnieGreat news Rich, 5 eggs, has the 6th one appeared? Watching all the birds here is so entertaining, the male Ruby Throat Hummingbirds are here as are the Orioles. My Bluebirds have babies they are taking care of, so sitting out when the weather permits is a lot of fun. Oh by the way the bear was back and took the Mealworm feeder down and caused more damage to it this time. Hope all is going good by you.
Connie
